Welcome back…

 

Everyone has settled back into the routine well, and we have had a great week kicking off our new topic, ‘All about me’

 

One of the most important aspects of early years education is the development of a child's sense of self. This involves not only understanding who they are as individuals but also recognising and respecting the differences between themselves and others. Celebrating differences with activities is a great way to introduce young children to this concept in a fun and engaging way. These activities range from simple discussions about skin colour and hair texture to more complex lessons about cultural traditions and beliefs. This week, we created an "All About Me" painting using mirrors; the children painted a visual representation of themselves. This not only helps them express their identity but also encourages them to learn about and appreciate the unique qualities of their classmates. Over the coming weeks, other activities will include reading books about different cultures and traditions and engaging in role-playing games to encourage empathy and understanding. By incorporating these celebrating differences activities into our early years curriculum, we can help children develop a strong sense of self, while also promoting respect and tolerance for others. This is an essential foundation for building a more inclusive and diverse society in the future.

Welcome to our Nursery blog ...

In our spacious inviting nursery we work hard to offer a nurturing and supportive learning environment for the children to thrive and grow. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with an emphasis on promoting the characteristics of effective learning. 

This approach fosters a love of learning and provides challenge linked closely to developmentally age appropriate experience. We strive to create an environment where the children feel confident to explore and discover new things. We have weekly forest school activities and have constant access to a large safe outdoors space and all-weather area. All meals are cooked daily on site by our wonderful cook. 

As a Nursery, we understand that all children are unique and understand the importance of following their individual interests.

We are set just outside the beautiful village of Blisland which is 10 mins from Bodmin town centre.

As we are a smaller setting we can only offer 10 places per year group but this therefore ensures a very high level of interaction with adults and quality impute for your child while they are with us. We are very family orientated and have strong community connections. 

We can offer places to children from the age  2yrs and offer 15 and 30 hour funding, more information can be found here: www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

Morning sessions are from 9am - 12  cost £16.80

Lunch available from 12-1pm at £5.60 plus meal cost or home packed lunch.

Afternoon session would be from 12-3pm at £16.80 plus meal cost or home packed lunch. 

All day session 9am - 3pm £33.60 plus the meal or home packed lunch.

We are offering a fourth session free if you pay for 3. It can be just mornings or a full day.  Your equivalent 4th session would be free, saving a max of £28.80

We are very flexible with hours and days so please feel free to ring for more information.

We also run a parent and toddler group, ' Twiglets', on a Wednesday morning 9am -11am, where you can come along to stay and play and meet new people, have a coffee and get a feel for what we are all about; this runs weekly in term time and its free. Bump to 4yrs.    

Weekly information also available on our 'Twiglets' Facebook page. 

By following our nursery blog which we hope to publish on a weekly basis this will allow us to inform you through words and pictures how we promote your child’s learning in the nursery, it is also a great way for you to discuss with your child at home what they have been doing each week. 

Mrs Pearce.

Welcome Back!

We are very excited to welcome the children back to Kensa Class this term! Here is a sneak peak of some of the exciting new areas we have for them to enjoy! 

Please find below some updates and reminders for the new term:

Seesaw
This year you will be able to follow your child's learning journey using Seesaw. Please let me know if you have any problems accessing your account.

Reading
Reading is one of the most important things we do in Kensa Class and we continue to encourage all children to read aloud to an adult at least 4 x per week. Please remember to record any reading in your child’s reading record – they love to share this with us!

Inside your child’s reading pack you will find:

• Your child’s reading record (please record in this each time you hear your child read aloud at home).

• 2 Read Write Inc books (your child should be reading these regularly throughout the week in order to develop their fluency and comprehension. If they finish them, please read them again and again and again)!

• A reading for pleasure book (these are books chosen by your child, for you to read to them at home. We will change these over every Monday but you are very welcome to swap them yourself at any time during the week. The books can be found in the reading for pleasure box in the children’s cloakroom).

Books will be changed every Monday. We really want children to enjoy the time they spend reading with you. Little and often is much better than sitting them down to read the whole book (2/3 pages a day is fine) and as they progress they may wish to start exploring other texts of their choice such as magazines, websites, recipes etc.

PE/Outdoor Learning
We love to go outdoors at Blisland but the weather is not always kind! To help us embrace the rain it is important that we can get the children warm and dry again. For this reason, we would like children to have their PE kit, a change of clothes and a coat in school at all times.

If there is anything you wish to discuss, please always feel free to pop in!

Best wishes,
Sally Elliott
(Class Teacher, EYFS, English, Science and Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead) 

And breathe... What a busy couple of weeks! The children some how have managed to complete some amazing pieces of learning in class over the past couple of weeks; complete their swimming programme; KS2 have had an amazing adventure on their residential and we still have a 'Jam-packed' final week, please see the events diary: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary

Swimming:
Well done to all the children who have completed their swimming programme. All have superb confidence in the water; lots of non-swimmers are now swimming and those capable swimmers have been able to develop stronger technique and junior life-saving skills. All this learning is important as part of our physical education but also as a life skill for children who live by the coast and rivers.

PGL Beam House (KS2 Residential):
This week KS2 enjoyed their outdoor learning experience at PGL Beam house. The children showed wonderful teamwork and encouraged each other throughout. They were able to learn new skills such as climbing, surfing (not new for all) and fencing to name a few. It was a real pleasure to take the children away and we are proud of all they achieved and how they conducted themselves. The children I know are already looking forward to next year's residential.

Sports Day and Summer Fair:
Unfortunately the weather has not been on our side for sports day this year as we have had to postpone the day twice (We are very sorry for the disruption as we know many would have had to arrange cover for work or take annual leave). We will hold sports day on Wednesday 19th July (Next week, the weather is looking better). The summer fair and duck race will also take place on Wednesday (no matter the weather). The events will start at 1.30pm.

Y6 SATs and Leavers Assembly:
Our Y6s have had their SATs results come through this week and we are very proud of the children. They have worked so hard and they have got results that they should be pleased and proud of. On Thursday next week, we will be having our leavers assembly for our Y6s. All are welcome to attend this assembly. If it is dry, this event will be held outside. 

Bike-Ability:
On Monday and Tuesday, Some pupils in Y5 and Y6 have the opportunity to take part in bike-ability coaching where they will learning cycling proficiency skills and learn how to safely navigate the roads. For those who have been contacted about taking part in these sessions, please remember your bike for these two days and your consent slips.  (Children can leave their bike in school on Monday so it is ready for Tuesday)

Additional Needs Corner - Summer holidays:
SEN Corner – Coping with the Summer holidays We know that for some children, lots of unstructured time can be difficult so here are some helpful tips to help support your child over the summer: Make a plan. Draw up a list of activities that everyone wants to do. Try to keep it simple and local. It could even be a bus ride, a visit to the park, playing in the garden or making biscuits. Some children may feel more supported if they have visuals to support a routine. This could be a photograph or symbol to represent where you are going or what you will be doing. You could even set out a daily plan with a tick list of activities or jobs to achieve. This could involve meal planning if you think it might help your child. Keep informed, there are always activities happening locally, so keep a look out on social media and on posters around the town. Ask for help – everybody needs support. Talk to family and friends to share advice and stories. Most of all stay safe and enjoy the summer together!

Time2Move Summer Holiday Activities:
Online bookings for the Time2Move Holiday Programme this Summer are now OPEN! Activities are taking place across Cornwall during the holidays, from 24 July to 1 September 2023. Sessions include multi sports, forest schools, circus skills & water sports.  You can explore what is on offer here.
All children eligible for Free School Meals can access these activities for free. Parents and carers can access a code here.
Don't forget - every session includes a healthy meal for ALL children. Together for Families colleagues can also refer individual children
Email: Time2Move.HolidayProgramme@cornwall.gov.uk or call 01872 323335 to find out more.
SEND provision - where possible - Time2Move will do their best to offer support to children with SEND. Please contact them to discuss.

Uniform Swap-Shop:
We know uniforms can be expensive and the mad rush to be ready with uniform for September can be stressful; on the last day of term we are holding a uniform swap shop from 1pm. If you have any uniform which is no longer needed (school jumpers, white polo shirts, trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses or school shoes), please could you bring these into school by Thursday 20th July. Uniform will be free but if you would like to make any donation, it will be gratefully received by our PTA to go towards events for the children next year.

One week to go; let's enjoy it.

Busy, Busy, Busy. But it's good to be busy. This week the children have enjoyed some wonderful enrichment activities and super in-class learning.

Daymer Bay beach day:
On Monday, the whole school enjoyed a day learning and exploring at the beach. They were able to conduct scientific experiments and see how they could make an erupting volcano; they explored the beach's natural resources and made some amazing beach art. All topped off with some brilliant beach games. 

DT:
KS2 this week have turned their research, prototypes and exploded diagrams into fully functioning Roman catapults. It was great to see their designs come to life, see the skilled use of the tools and equipment, and the way the children made adaptions as they saw successful designs take shape.

Cheep, Cheep, Cheep:
Exciting news from the nursery... Our nursery children have been trying to hatch chickens over the last few months, and on Friday, the excitement began. By the end of the day, 3 chicks had hatched. We look forward to Monday to see how many more chicks have joined our nursery. 

Day of alternative sports:
On Thursday, the school were able to take part in a range of alternative sports. All of which were thoroughly enjoyable. The children excelled in volleyball, became master tacticians in capture the flag and loved Dartmoor 3 ball. 

Online Safety:
Please look at the attached online safety advice sheet for using digital devices and TVs. It has some great tips for keeping children safe at home when access content digitally. 

Enjoy your weekend.

Another busy week, and they are going to keep on coming. The children have been learning lots this week and I am sure must be exhausted from the heat and swimming

KS1:
In KS1, Year one have been completing their phonics screening and have worked really hard to show reading, decoding and phonic awareness – well done Y1. In class the children have been impressing me with some fabulous writing (some lovely joined writing by Y2)

KS2:
In KS2, the children have produced some lovely news reports, reporting on the Battle of Watling street (Boudicca vs the Romans). They included some relevant historical facts and reported using appropriate literacy techniques. In Science, Y5/6 have analysed the aging process and observed and described the physical changes which occur as we grow into old age; Y3/4 have investigated what makes the difference with muscle strength and have completed an investigation which gave some good data presented as bar charts. They were very observant in their evaluations as they thought about the impact warm-ups may have on the muscles and their ability to complete excise.

Bodmin Airfield:
On Thursday pupils from our school represented our whole trust to deliver poems which 9 of our schools had written which will be transported to France; Merci beaucoup to Sally Crabtree and Dani Towe (Bridge Schools Trust Lead) who has organised the project with us, to Pete and the whole of Bodmin airfield for always being so welcoming when hosting us and to Luke who will be delivering the poems to Northern France where they will be be printed on biodegradable paper with wild flower seeds embedded which will then be dropped out of one of the aeroplanes over the fields where the Battle of the Somme took place.

Swimming:
This week we have completed our first week of swimming. It is already clear to see the impact of continuous swimming is having on the children’s water confidence and for those who are able swimmers, the improved technique. We start our 2nd week of swimming the week beginning Monday 3rd July.

Beach Day
On Monday, Reception to Y6 will be heading to the beach for our beach sports activity day. We will be leaving just after 9am and will be dropping at the green at 2.45pm. Please remember sun cream, plenty to drink, packed lunches if they have not been ordered. Fingers crossed the weather is kind.

Dates for your diary.
Dates for key events are on the events section of the school website: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary. Please do keep checking as it is a busy last 5-weeks.

Have a nice weekend

Storytellers had some unique visitors today as Newquay Aquarium brought in some sea creatures for the children to learn about. Everyone was very brave and carefully handled starfish and crabs; we learnt lots of interesting facts about their habitats and how they survive. Watching the children mesmerised by the creatures was wonderful as it brought their learning to life.
These enriching experiences are made possible by the support we receive from our wonderful PTFA. 

World Oceans Day is held every year on the 8th of June to raise awareness of our oceans' vital importance and their role in sustaining a healthy planet. A global celebration, it aims to bring people and organisations together in a series of events highlighting how we can all help protect and conserve the oceans.

 

On World Oceans Day, people around our blue planet celebrate and honour our ocean, which connects us all. Storytellers spent time exploring our mini ocean and learnt what should and shouldn’t be in it; the children were passionate about making sure that rubbish didn't get into the ocean and had lots of ideas on ways that we could do this. Learning about the importance of our blue planet at this young age is a way to start creating a better future. 

Where has the time gone?! We have reached the end of another half term in a blink of an eye. The children have been fantastic and have learnt, and done so much. I there say that the final half-term will whizz by even faster. Over the half term, if you can still listen to your child/children read as often as possible, use numbots and timestable rockstars too, it will make all the differene to them. 

KS1:
In KS1 this week, I have seen the children learn so much in D.T, Maths , Science and Music. In Music, the children were excellent at describing mood in music and composing short patterns for their partners to guess what kind of mood they were trying to create. The children have been very focused in recording their observations in Science for how well their bean stalks are growing. I was very pleased to hear the children talking about how they were all Germinating differently and trying to work out why. In D.T the children had a great time designing and creating a healthy sandwich, they very much enjoyed the eating part of the lesson. In Maths, KS1 were very impressive when learning how to use a column method to subtract with exchanges - good use of models and images children. 

KS2:
In KS2 this week, the children have begun to learn about newspaper report writing. They have created some super Headlines, strap lines and have begun their 5Ws paragraph using all of the techniques we have learned. In art the children have researched the styles of Roman pottery and techniques used to make their own Roman pots - this followed on from some amazing mosaics made with Mrs Pearce. The sun has been a very welcomed visitor as the children have been developing their striking and fielding skills: they are now masters of rounders and cricket. 

Kahoot Quiz:
Thank you for every who was able to help and support our Kahoot Quiz this week. We had a great evening - full of friendly competitiveness and laughter. We have raised £70 from this event. We aim to make this a regular event on the PTA calendar and host a quiz every 1/2 term in future

Sunshine:
We are, I am sure, all enjoying the sun and it looks likely to stay with us for a while (fingers crossed), can all children come to school with plenty to drink, sun hats and sun cream. We will talk with the children about being safe in sun too. Useful leaflet below.
Our sun safe policy can be found at the bottom of our policies page: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Policies

Key Dates:
Its a busy half-term coming, please do look on the Events Diary page often as what is happening in schools will be placed on this page of the school website: https://www.blislandprimary.co.uk/Events-Diary

Over the half-term, if you can still listen to your child/children read as often as possible, use numbots and timestable-rockstars too, it will make all the difference to them.

Have a fun, happy and safe half term.  

Why are mosaics classed as Roman Art?

Mosaics were central to Roman culture, the most prominent pieces of Roman art. 

This form of Roman art is one of the last remaining bits of evidence we have of Roman life.

A mosaic is a piece of art or image made from small pieces of coloured glass, stone or other materials. 

Most mosaics are made of small, flat, roughly square pieces of stone or glass of different colours. Roman mosaics were extremely popular and appeared on floors in houses as early as the 2nd century BCE. 

Romans also used mosaics to decorate floors and walls in temples. They were a delicate and beautiful type of art that rich people used to show off their wealth.   

KS2 have enjoyed learning more about mosaics, experimenting with designs, and repeating patterns. The children finished their studies by producing their own mosaic tile while sitting in the sunshine. 

Here comes the sun...

It was lovely to get outside in the sunshine today, finally!
The children enjoyed the outside environment and explored the various resources, giving their adults time to chat and enjoy the sunshine. Everyone enjoyed a special snack time as everyone had been baking, so there were many tasty treats. 

Learning about insects can play a big role in children’s understanding of the world.  Children are remarkably observant because they continually try to make sense of the world around them. Teaching children about insects and allowing them to see them up close encourages them to make new discoveries and observations, and learn new concepts such as Why does this insect look like this? Why does it need so many legs? What does it eat?

  Today was a perfect example when the children discovered a bug in the wheelbarrow. After numerous suggestions on where we could put the bug, they decided to put it in the basket with some grass as they thought it might be hungry! They were fascinated by it and wanted to know what it was called, this required Google as Mrs Pearce’s knowledge of bugs isn’t up to scratch. Once a selection of potential examples was found on images the children discussed which one it resembled, they decided on a May bug and that it looked like an acorn!